LED Droplight

[Pete-FWA]

Does anyone have experience with LED droplights for the garage?

My incandescent is shorted somewhere and I thought an LED might be a good upgrade.

I know the LED's will last for quite some time, but how are they for output compared to a standard bulb or even fluorescent?

Comments would be appreciated

[sneek]

their quite a bit brighter than regulars lights that for sure my parents put some in on top of the pool table but removed them because they were too bright

[inthedetails]

My Captain installs emergency lights on the side, I know that the LED's are far superior in this use becuase they are bright, last forever, and easier to set up (no separate power supplies needed).

I don't know what the light would be like to work with. I am still searching for the best lighting in my garage, so far my experience with halogens has been less than good.

Just some thoughts....

[fletch]

problem with fluorescent lights

Fluorescent lights don't work well in an unheated garage during cold temperatures.

The ballasts usually have a minimum starting temperature of 50 degrees.

You can purchase cold weather ballasts, buy they are hard to find and expensive.

Stick with incandescent lights for a cold temperature garage.

[Pete-FWA]

Sneek: you made me wonder if LED's would be TOO bright for under the hood jobs. That's the only reason I'm getting an LED, if I do it. It's the "brake job, tune up, change an intake" light to have around the car for jobs like that, nothing detail-wise.

inthedetails: I used to sell Federal Signal lights and the LED's are really catching on aroud here, too. They do last for ages, if they're good ones.

fletch: Already have some cold weather fluorescents in the garage, but I need a spot/drop light for working under the hood, that's why I'm considering LED's. I want something durable and efficient for that specific use.

Thanks for the replies, all

[inthedetails]

Re: problem with fluorescent lights

Originally posted by fletch
Fluorescent lights don't work well in an unheated garage during cold temperatures.

The ballasts usually have a minimum starting temperature of 50 degrees.

You can purchase cold weather ballasts, buy they are hard to find and expensive.

Stick with incandescent lights for a cold temperature garage.

You can zero start lights at Home Depot for about 12 or 15 dollars. I just did my wifes horse barn with 'em...they work awesome.

Pete, he sells Whelan. They have a cool synching wire that allows you to connect multiple units together and control the flashes.

[gb387]

Originally posted by Pete-FWA
Sneek: you made me wonder if LED's would be TOO bright for under the hood jobs. That's the only reason I'm getting an LED, if I do it. It's the "brake job, tune up, change an intake" light to have around the car for jobs like that, nothing detail-wise.

If you get a chance stop by a few stores, since LED's are fairly new, many times they have a demo light hanging with the product. Both Sears and Menards in my area have "demos" all powered up so you can see the difference over other trouble lights.

[sneek]

well no... you need pool lights to be kind of dim so that theres the right mood or else you feel like you playing pool out in the sun

i think they should be fine for under the hood jobs and the brake jobs

[RamAirV1]

LEDs have very good shock resistance so they are perfect for a drop light as long as they are bright enough. LEDs last from 10, 000 to 100,000 hours.

RamAirV1